Joey Ramone, lead singer of legendary punk band the Ramones, passed away Sunday at the age of 49.

The towering frontman, born Jeffrey Hyman, did not respond to treatment for lymphatic cancer, a disease that attacks the body's ability to fight infection. U2's "In a Little While" was playing in his room at New York-Presbyterian Hospital when he died at 2:40 p.m.

Without wishing to sound corny, Joey Ramone was one of the coolest guys on the planet. If you're a Ramones fan, you'll already be in mourning. If you're not, listen to some of their records and you soon will be in mourning.